Florida counties to sue over $325 million in Medicaid bills

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Association of Counties said Thursday that it will sue the state over legislation requiring counties pay up to $325 million in contested Medicaid bills.

"From the outset, we've said that local taxpayers shouldn't be forced to pay for Tallahassee's accounting errors," said Chris Holley, the FAC's executive director. "And to ensure that they are not, we will be pursuing legal action."

The Legislature last month said that counties, which are supposed to pay a share of charges for hospital and nursing home stays by their residents, must pay 85 percent of the bills — $276 million — or 100 percent if they contest them and lose. But the counties say the state has made serious errors, including double billing.

The suit will be filed in Leon County; four counties have already voted to join it.